Noise Canceling Headphones and Travel Pillows
April 30, 2008 by Greg
I’ve been curious, but mostly skeptical, of frequent travel fare. The kiosks in the airport seem to have large signs that read “sucker” hidden behind the big corporate logos. In particular, anything that involves customer demos or over priced travel accessories. After a few recent trips, I’m beginning to give them a second look.
Trying to listen to some older jazz recordings on my mp3 player, it’s apparent that my stock headphones won’t allow me to hear subtle nuances with airplane jets roaring just outside my window. Looking across the isle, I’ve seen other passengers blissfully carried away in large noise canceling headphones.
While subjected to an odd hour flight, a comfortable napping position seems unreachable. Constantly fidgeting, propping my head at strange and uncomfortable angles, I’ve often longed for my fellow travel companions c-shaped pillows.
Does anyone have any experience with either of these? Do the headphones really work? Do the travel pillows make for a more comfortable nap?
Bonus Link: Headphones to Shut Out the World - New York Times
Travel pillows are a must especially on long 8 hour international flight. If you don’t have one a comfortable nap is in-fact unreachable. I can easily sleep on a plane and zonk out before the plane takes off. Something due to the movement while we taxi to the runway is relaxing. This could not be done without a pillow to keep your head upright! The only disadvantage is that they can be too comfortable resulting in a long snooze and missing out on the food. I have woken up several times to see that everyone on the plane has already ate!
I would check out the in ear headphones. My er-6 earbuds work great for canceling out noise even when I’m on the motorcycle. They’re light weight so it feels like you have earplugs in. They are a bit pricey, but you can buy a pair of apple’s 40 dollar in ear headphones and grab some foam sleeves for Sure’s 32c headphones and stick them on the apple earbuds this makes them more comfortable and isolates the sound better.
Here’s some links:
Er-6: http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Isolator-Earphones-Black/dp/B000BQSGMM/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1209592775&sr=8-1
Apple in ear buds: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-M9394G-In%252dEar-Headphones%252d-M9394G%252fC/dp/B000VRU4JE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1209592851&sr=1-1
Sure foam sleeves: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-M9394G-In%252dEar-Headphones%252d-M9394G%252fC/dp/B000VRU4JE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1209592851&sr=1-1
Nice, good advice on both.
Etymotic make the earplugs that I use for concerts…
I e-mailed Greg and tried to post about Skull Candy - inexpensive in-ear buds that are terrific but apparently my post didn’t make it.
Here’s a second try:
http://www.bloglines.com/blog/gostrav?id=407
The ones I got are called “Smokin’ Buds - Ink’d Earbuds”
and are available at Target and Circuit City for around $15.00.
They have fancier ones for the Smokin’ Buds that are available on-line for
about $30.00 on the Skull Candy site and at Target for $25.00
It looks like the same kind in white are available at Circuit City for
just $15.00. If you have an iPhone they have the iPhone FMJ that
works with those too.
Here’s a link to Skull Candy’s website:
http://www.skullcandy.com/
Those are some seriously cool looking headphones… Thanks for the link! (And email!)